Mike Fiers allowed 1 run over 7 innings as the Astros beat the Nationals, 6-1.

Rhys Hoskins doubled, homered and walked, driving in 5, as the Phillies clobbered the Marlins, 8-0.

Eric Hosmer reached base 4 times and launched a 2 out, 9th inning come from behind walk off homer to give the Royals a 6-4 win over Colorado.

They all owned baseball on August 23, 2017

Earning 1/2 WOBs:

Rich Hill threw a no hitter. HE THREW A NO HITTER. He pitched 9 innings, allowing no hits, no runs, no walks. He only allowed a base runner via an error in the 9th. That’s it. It was a masterpiece. The problem is the Dodgers didn’t score a run. So he took the no hitter into the 10th and let up a walk off homer. He lost a game where he threw a no hitter through 9. This is the most brutal 1/2 WOB of all time in his 1-0 loss to the Pirates.

Corey Kluber pitched into the 8th, striking out 12 Red Sox and allowing 2 runs over 7 2/3 innings. But he was on the wrong end of the Indians 6-1 defeat.

Joey Votto homered and singled but the Reds could not get past the Cubs, 9-3.

Kevin Kiermaier reached base 4 times, homering twice and driving in 3 but the Rays fell short to Toronto, 7-6.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

We will be delving a lot more into all team payrolls on the MLB Reports as part of our regular features from now on. One of the things that I have been thinking about a lot is the Red Sox Payroll. I wonder if they shouldn’t just extend Chris Sale for an additional 3 years. Yes it is risky with a guy who throws with a whipping motion, but you have a lot to consider on this. First you could offer him a 3 Year deal extension worth about $90 MIL total. It would be an awesome move to align Sale on the same years of service with David Price. IMAGE by Sports Mockery

Chris Sale will enter the year at age 28, and while his current deal will take him to age 31 before he hits Free Agency prior to the 2020 season, maybe the Red Sox could capitalize on him maybe seeking some security.

I am suggesting the starting point of a AAV of $30 MIL. Maybe the club adds a Mutual Option for the 4th and 5th year of the extension with a Buyout, but this is a smart concept from the Red Sox perspective.

Never in their long standing organization have they had such rich young superstars just entering the league at the same time.

The Dodgers have spent over $300 MIL in back to back years, and are the clubhouse leaders in Luxury Tax penalties paid. At a 50% penalty, the Los Angeles forked out $40 MIL in Luxury Taxes in 2016. With an estimated $204 MIL payroll – considering there are several roster holes now created by departing players, the team will need to spend around $235 MIL in 2017 total payroll. With a 50% penalty – and an additional 45% hit – for going $40 MIL over the new $195 MIL limit in 2017, I highly expect the organization will be less willing to spend 90 cents extra for every dollar spent beyond that. This means that they should not re-sign Kenley Jansen or Turner. The White Sox have the Closer, Third Baseman and Second Baseman needed to complete their roster/winter shopping – if a deal can be reached.

Last year the Dodgers were in the middle of a 3 way trade with the Reds and White Sox.

with the full rebuild going on in the south side of Chicago now, the Los Angeles Dodgers brass should be targeting some players back in return. This time they should acquire Todd Frazier, but I also think they should go for Brett Lawrie and White Sox team Closer David Robertson.

The total net projected salary of those 3 players would equal $28.5 MIL – which would be substantially less than what it would take to re-sign Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen. David Robertson has pitched for a big market like New York before, so playoff baseball is not foreign to him.

Lawrie would adequately replace the production the club had with Chase Utley and Howie Kendrick this past year for a fraction of the cost.

Having Todd Frazier’s power would really benefit the ailing/aging slugger of Adrian Gonzalez, and also the young and brilliant Corey Seager,

Aroldis Chapman is on pace to be one of the best ALL – Time Closers in the game. Toting a Career ERA of 2.08 – and a incredible 15.2/Per 9 IP SO rate, this man is about as hard to hit as they come. At entering the 2017 season at just Age 28, a 5 year deal worth $86 MIL is not as risky as it sounds. This organization is used to having elite Closers like him during their 23 year over .500 streak, so this is par for the course.

Brian Cashman is handling the offseason like he should. If the brass can somehow pull off a few more trades, than I would really like the projections for future years.

Aroldis Chapman inked a 5 year deal worth $86 MIL (or exactly 5 times the what the Qualifying Offer was this year.) New York didn’t have to pay the Cubs any compensation for the signing since he was traded to Chicago by these very Yankees at the Trade Deadline.

The whole concept of trading players though the year, only to re-ink them after those said seasons, is a practice that MLB clubs have not done in the past.

This is a common maneuver for NHL teams over the last 15 – 20 years, and we may it see it happen a whole lot more in future campaigns.

The Dodgers have spent over $300 MIL in back to back years, and are the clubhouse leaders in Luxury Tax penalties paid. At a 50% penalty, the Los Angeles forked out $40 MIL in Luxury Taxes in 2016. With an estimated $204 MIL payroll – considering there are several roster holes now created by departing players, the team will need to spend around $235 MIL in 2017 total payroll. With a 50% penalty – and an additional 45% hit for going $40 MIL over the new $195 MIL limit in 2017, I highly expect the organization will be less willing to spend 95 cents extra for every dollar spent beyond that. Because of the Rich Hill signing, it will make it tough to get back Justin Turner and land a Closer – without paying the maximum surcharges for payroll.

I don’t hide the fact that I have been a Dodgers fan for some time. I have continuously ripped the past and present management for signing players that are injury prone. For the last 4 years the Injury/Dead money the club has doled out has rivaled what some of the lowest payroll clubs on an annual basis.

This is not even taking into a factor all of the positional players and Relief Guys they have taken a powder on (hit the ground and dust flies up because of being knocked out). The Franchise ate $41 MIL in 2013, $37 MIL in salary for 2014, $86 MIL in 2015, and $71 MIL in 2016.

For those scoring at home, that is a whopping $233 MIL in lost cash since the beginning of 2013, which was the Guggenheim Consortium’s first full year at the helm.

When you factor in some more penalties for exceeding the Luxury Tax Threshold, the organization is well over the $250 MIL mark in 4 seasons. Now 2017 doesn’t look to be much different – with $47 MIL in dead money already on the board.

The Yankees shocked the baseball world by contending for the last 2 months in 2016 after dealing away Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Carlos Beltran at the Deadline. With a the young ‘”Baby Bombers” on the way, tt will take a few good veterans to compliment the talent in order for the Yankees to become extremely dangerous once again. It all starts with the GM Brian Cashman.

I will be the first one to give credit to Brian Cashman for arranging the July Trade Deadline deal moves to free up a rebuild on the fly. The Yankees rewarded their longterm GM by continuing their season streak of over .500 to 22 years.

The management has also been fortunate that Gary Sanchez fared so incredibly well – so they could sell Brian McCann to the Astros, and effectively free up another $10 MIL into their couch cushions.

As it sits right now the clubs projected roster is looking to be in the $167 MIL range for total team salary. Unfortunately they are still on the hook to CC Sabathia for $25 MIL and Alex Rodriguez for $21 MIL in 2017. even though latter is not even on the roster anymore.

So what do the Yanks do this winter? They are perennial abusers of the Salary Tax Threshold, and have been paying 50% of their dollars spent beyond the limit for the last several years.

With the news of talks proceeding on that number potentially reaching $200 MIL or under the new CBA, the Pinstripers should definitely dole out some bread for Free Agents this offseason.

I would say that for the Bronx Bombers to be competitive for the AL East, they need to add at least $50 MIL in players salaries this winter in order to fight the Jays and Red Sox for the Division.

The difference between winning and losing for the Giants recently has just been chance. But why not slightly improve their chances by batting the red hot Hunter Pence higher in the order for a few weeks?

Plus some no hitter thoughts on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!! The trade deadline will end at 4 PM EST today, so that means we will see plenty of trades in baseball. The first big trade of the day includes the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland A’s. The Dodgers will acquire starting pitcher, Rich Hill, and outfielder, Josh Reddick. Considering the Dodgers are only two games out of first place in the National League West, this is a huge move to win now. Both players are rentals since their contracts are up at the conclusion of the season.

Clayton Kershaw pitched brilliantly into the 8th, allowing 4 hits and striking out 10 Mets over 7 2/3 innings. He was inexplicably pulled from the game and the bullpen coughed up his lead. The Dodgers would take the game in the 9th, 4-2.

They all owned baseball on May 29, 2016.

To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Jordan Zimmermann joining the Tigers has reopened their winning window for at least this year. He has thrown well so far in his early tenure with the Motown Boys. If they had not signed him, they would be barely clinging to a .500 record this far into the campaign. The Tigers are 23 – 23, but have been surging of late – and Zimmermann is 7 – 2, with a 2.53 ERA and a 1.137 WHIP in 9 Game Starts. The former Nationals thrower inked a 5 year deal worth $110 MIL, which is nearly half of the total of ace pitchers David Price and Zack Greinke – SP who have struggled mightily to find their own groove in 2016.

During this past winter, the MLB free agent market seemed to move a lot slower than in recent memory. While there were plenty of legitimate players available after the holidays and with Spring Training fast approaching, a number of them still managed to bring in huge paydays.

There’s plenty of baseball to be played, but with about a quarter of the regular season schedule complete, the following six players have been incredible free agent bargains thus far — especially considering the ever-growing cost of acquiring top talent on the open market.

George Springer has crushed 6 HRs and added 12 RBI – with an OPS of 1.025 at Safeco Field in his 15 Games Played there thus far. He also owns an OPS career of .898 against LHP – ans will hit against M’s Lefty Nate Karns tonight. He has also begun to heat up offensively in 2016 – with an OPS of .930 during the last 14 days.

We have a guy (Trey Rose) who is an excellent MLB Fantasy player – and he has been posting links from his site on ours. Trey does his own lineup everyday – so here is his link

I go about things a bit different from my end for picks and evaluations.

Detroit helped me do quite well in action yesterday in a stack versus the A’s and Kendall Graveman. Miguel Cabrera was the man last night, and I expect a similar result. I am going all out with 4 more Tigers to oppose A’s Lefty Rich Hill,

To help roster a bunch of premiere hitters in the lineup later on in the Seattle game, I also am using Mike Pelfrey against Oakland. I am hoping the confines of Comerica Park will help the RHP keep the A’s hitters at bay. Lets face it, Oakland doesn’t have a bunch of world beaters for their lineup.

I am big on the Houston Astros bringing some lumber versus the Seattle Mariners tonight – and starter Nate Karns.

The regular season is over. My daily tally for Who Owns Baseball is at an end. Every day I determine which player had the best individual day on a winning team to earn a full WOB and on a losing team for a 1/2 WOB.

Sully Baseball Podcast – Did a 20 minute show everyday consecutively from 10/24/12 – 4/2/17, Now He is Doing a show Every Thursday

The “Every Day Chucker” Podcast Hosted by Chuck Booth

Chuck Booth’s 30 MLB Parks Trip World Record Page

In 2012, Chuck Booth attended a complete game in all 30 MLB Parks in just 23 calendar days, click the image of he and Larry Lucchino to read all about it.

The MLB BallPark Pass-Port Is A Must Purchase For Those Planning To See All 30

The Ballpark Passport is quickly becoming the favorite item among Ballpark Chasers, to chronicle their life goal to see all 30 Major League Parks. You are able to receive the stamps kit for a small additional price. At around $75 all combined, it will contain one of the biggest memento's ever for a Ballpark Chaser's best bucket list wish ever#Greatgiftidea

The Top 50 Contracts ALL – Time in the MLB – Updated For The Stephen Strasburg Extension

A look at the richest 50 MLB Contracts Of ALL - Time. Click the picture

Keeping up with the latest minor moves from around baseball… The Brewers are reuniting with reliever Jim Henderson on a minor league pact, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com tweets. Interestingly, the 35-year-old Henderson will act as a player/coach, and he could even do some scouting eventually, per McCalvy. The majority of Henderson’s major league time has…

SUNDAY: The contract comes with a $2MM salary in the majors and up to $4MM in incentives, Jon Heyman of FanRag tweets. It also features several opt-out chances. Beginning May 1, Hellickson will have an opportunity to exit the deal every 15 days. SATURDAY: The club has made the signing official. FRIDAY: The Nationals have agreed to…

12:52pm: Grimm’s deal comes with a $1.25MM salary and up to $300K in performance bonuses, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic tweets. Those bonuses start at 30 games and max out at 55, per Jon Heyman of FanRag. 12:25pm: The Royals have signed right-handed reliever Justin Grimm to a one-year, major league contract and designated fellow…

The Athletics have agreed to a one-year, major league contract, pending a physical, with right-hander Trevor Cahill, Jane Lee of MLB.com tweets. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported earlier Saturday that Oakland could target Cahill, a client of John Boggs & Associates. With righty Jharel Cotton set to undergo Tommy John surgery and…

The Blue Jays have claimed lefty reliever Sam Moll off waivers from the Mariners; both teams’ PR accounts have announced the move. It’s been a busy year for the 26-year-old Moll, who began last season with the Rockies, end it with the Athletics, and has since been the object of a waiver hot-potato game between…